# NTSB ATL04LA053: Canadair CL-600-2B19, N445AW, Miami, FL, December 15, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 14, 2003, 19:55 local (Dec 15, 2003, 00:55 UTC) - Place: Miami, FL - Coordinates: 25.799722, -80.294998 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.7997&lon=-80.2950&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Pushback/towing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/200) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 44 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Miami FSDO-19 - NTSB case key (mKey): 58511 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL04LA053 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58511/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04LA053 ## Probable cause The tug operator's loss of control and his failure to maintain clearance from the aircraft during pushback operations. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - pushback/tow - directional control - not maintained, driver of vehicle (cause) - airport equipment,ground support - loss(partial) - light condition - night - terrain condition - wet ## Analysis During the pushback from the gate, the tug operator attempted to stop the airplane on the ramp. At the time of pushback operations the ramp surface was wet and the lighting condition on the ramp was dark. The tug slid to the left as the airplane went to the right for undetermined reasons. The shear pin on the tow bar broke and the airplane turned to the right. The tug collided with the right side of the fuselage after the tug driver jumped from the tug. Examination of the airplane revealed 9 damaged ribs on the bottom side of the fuselage. ## Factual narrative On December 14, 2003 at 1955 eastern standard time, a Can Adair, CL-600-2B19 N445AW, registered to and operated by Air Wisconsin as flight 2146 from Miami, Florida, enrooted to Tampa, Florida, was struck by a pushback tug at Miami International Airport, Miami Florida. The instrument commercial flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 121 with a flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airline transport rated pilot, crew and 40 revenue passengers were not injured. The accident occurred at 1955, on December 14, 2003. During the pushback from the gate, the tug driver attempted to stop the airplane on the ramp near spot 10. At the time of pushback the surface of the ramp was wet and dark. The tug operator applied the breaks and the tug began to skid. According to the tug operator, the aircraft slid to the right, and the tug was pushed to the left. The tow bar shear pin broke and the airplane turned to the right. The tug collided with the right side of the fuselage after the tug driver jumped from the tug. The passengers were deplaned on the ramp thru the air stair door. Examination of the tug operator's training records revealed the tug operator was certififed on 10/15/2003 in accordance with Aircraft Service International Group and Air Tran Airways standards and operating procedures. Examination of the airplane revealed 9 damaged ribs on the bottom side of the fuselage. The iris and four bolts were sent to the National Transportation Safety Board Materials Laboratory for further examination. The fracture analysis of the iris revealed that the iris was bent out of the tow bar and the four bolts broke in a shear/overstress action. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N445AW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N445AW), registered now, S/N 7804, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Canadair CL-600-2B19 - Registry model: [Bombardier CL-600-2B19](https://openairdocs.org/model/bombardier-cl-600-2b19) (registry code 1390008) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [GE CF34 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/ge-cf34-series) (registry code 30015, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7804 - Engines: Bombardier CF34-3B1 8729 lbs thrust turbo fan; Bombardier CF34-3B1 8729 lbs thrust turbo fan - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 121 - Registered owner: Air Wisconsin Airlines Corporation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: MIA, Miami, FL - Destination: TPA, Tampa, FL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: MIA, Miami International ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 9, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 1,846 total, 558 in this make and model, 987 as pilot in command, 214 in the last 90 days, 69 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 27; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 29, 2003; seat: right; flight hours: 762 total, 399 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days, 88 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 280° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 13,000 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: MIA ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20031214036119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031214036119A), Dec 14, 2003: Cndair CL6002B19, Miami, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) On December 14, 2003 at 1955 eastern standard time, a Canadair, CL-600-2B19, N445AW, registered to and operated by air Wisconsin as flight 2146 from… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.